[Biblemat] A>Congregations Without Elders (Kent Heaton)

[kerux]

Congregations Without Elders

(Kent Heaton)

 

It is clear that many of the New Testament churches existed for a time without elders. Barnabas and Paul "returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed" (Acts 14:21-23). Titus was left in Crete to "Set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge." (Titus 1:5). The Revised Standard Version says, "That you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you" (Titus 1:5).

 

A congregation without elders is a New Testament church. It has not come to the full maturity that God intends but it can function within the boundaries of the New Testament pattern of church work, worship and organization. Until such a time elders can be appointed, the church must carry out its work of evangelism, benevolence and discipline as prescribed by God's law. A means to carry out that work is referred to as a "business meeting" and this serves to fulfill the work of the church. This process is a valuable tool to use in the absence of men who would serve as elders.

 

The business meeting must be viewed as a temporary means to grow to full maturity with the oversight of elders. The elders are the ones whom the Holy Spirit has made to be overseers and to care for the church of God purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). They have been entrusted with the watch-care of souls (Hebrews 13:17). The qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are given for the work of elders to carry out the mission of the church. The business meeting - while effective to maintain a decent and orderly working of the church - has not been given those admonitions. 

 

One of the most important works that a congregation without elders must include in church work is to grow to the establishment of elders. This must be the constant focus and planning of the brethren. There can be many reasons why this cannot be accomplished in a certain period of time but when a congregation continues to exist year after year without efforts being made to establish an eldership they have failed to mature to the pattern commanded by the Lord in the New Testament. 

 

Men must be encouraged to strive to this goal - whether from their youth or their older age. New converts must be shown the pattern to strive for in their lives to fulfill and mature to the role of the elder one day. In existing elderships, men must be challenged to prepare for the future to maintain the eldership. As elderships grow older, other men must fill those shoes. Let these men be of the character the Lord seeks as in the days of Ezekiel when He said, "I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me" (Ezekiel 22:30). 

 

We need families who will rise to the challenge of the eldership so that the church of our Lord can mature in spirit and number as found in the pattern of the New Testament church. As we stand for the truth in seeking to be the New Testament church, let us not forget to stand for the truth within our own ranks to obey the commands of Him who gave His life for the church.


Kent Heaton
207 NE Fourth Avenue
Trenton, Florida  32693
(Home) 352-463-6916
(Office) 352-463-3793
(Cell) 352-283-3889
kerux at bellsouth.net
www.trentonchurchofchrist.com
www.northfloridabiblecamp.com
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